London, December 02, 2025
The Angiolini Inquiry Part 2 has revealed significant shortcomings in how police forces address sexual offences, exposing widespread absence of fundamental policies across the UK nearly two years after the inquiry commenced. The findings come amid calls for urgent systemic change following the high-profile murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer.
Critical findings reveal that many police forces have yet to implement basic safeguards, including a universal ban on officers with sexual offence histories. The inquiry underscores that sexually motivated crimes against women in public spaces represent a society-wide issue, necessitating comprehensive policy reform and prevention strategies within policing and beyond.
In its detailed report, the inquiry highlights systemic failures such as inadequate vetting and management of officers with histories of sexual misconduct. This lack of foundational protective measures stands in stark contrast to expectations for law enforcement agencies tasked with safeguarding communities from sexual violence.
The Angiolini Inquiry sets out a series of core recommendations to rectify these gaps. These include the adoption of a multi-year, funded prevention strategy grounded in a public health approach, intended to tackle root causes rather than solely respond to incidents. It calls for the nationwide expansion of Operation Soteria, aimed at standardizing police responses to sexual offences to ensure consistency and accountability.
Further proposals emphasize the necessity for a Home Office-led public information campaign to raise awareness of sexual violence and prevention methods. The inquiry also urges improved data collection focusing on protected characteristics and offence patterns to better inform policy and operational decisions. Importantly, there is a strong emphasis on targeting perpetrators through interventions aimed specifically at men and boys, reflecting a strategic shift towards prevention and behaviour change.
Explicit commitments for police forces to adopt clear anti-sexist and anti-racist stances are also recommended, reinforcing the need for cultural change within institutions. The report additionally demands that the government formally respond to the Bertin Review’s recommendations concerning the role of pornography in shaping attitudes and behaviours related to sexual violence.
Despite increased activity in the realm of violence prevention since Sarah Everard’s murder in 2021, the inquiry warns that current efforts remain fragmented, short-term, and insufficiently resourced. It stresses that tackling the problem requires coordinated, sustained action across multiple sectors, with policing as a critical but not solitary component of the solution.
Criticism has emerged surrounding the proposed expansion of undercover policing through Project Vigilance. Advocates argue that relying on covert operations cannot replace the urgent need for systemic reforms addressing institutional failings and cultural issues within the police.
These findings and recommendations come at a pivotal moment for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and society at large. The inquiry’s emphasis on a whole-system response underscores the complexity of sexual violence and the necessity for multifaceted solutions that involve prevention, cultural change, and improved accountability within policing frameworks. The spotlight on these systemic issues aims to drive meaningful reform to enhance protection for women and uphold public trust in law enforcement moving forward.